ULLOA's voyage to south AMERICA. 36 1 



even fometimes farther ; when being without the verge of thofe winds, the voyage is 

 eafily performed. * 



While the brifas blow ftrongeft, a very impetuous current fets into the gulf of Darien, 

 and out of it during the feafon of the vendabales. This fecond change proceeds from 

 the many rivers which difcharge themfelves into it, and at that time being greatly 

 fwelled by the heavy rains, peculiar to the feafon ; fo that they come down with fuch 

 rapidity, as violently to propel the water out of the gulf. But in the feafon of the 

 brifas thefe rivers are low, and fo weak, that the current of the fea overcomes their 

 reliflance, fills the gulf, and returns along the windings of the coaft. 



CHAP. 11. — Defcription of the Town of St. Philip de Porto Beilo. 



THE town of St. Philip de Porto Bello, according to our obfervations, (lands in 

 9° 34' 35'' north latitude; and by the obfervations of Father Feuillce, in the longitude 

 of 277° 5©' from the meridian of Paris, and 296° 41' from the Pico of TenerifFe. 

 This harbour was difcovered on the 2d of November 1 502 by Chriftopher Columbus, 

 who was fo charmed with its extent, depth, and fecurity, that he gave it the name of 

 Porto Bello, or the fine harbour. In the profecution of his difcoveries, he arrived at 

 that which he called Baftimentos, where, in 15 10, was founded by Diego de Niqueza 

 the city of Nombre de Dios, " the Name of God j" fo called from the commander 

 having faid to his people on their landing, " Here we will make a fettlement in the 

 name of God," which was accordingly executed. But this place was in its infancy 

 entirely deftroyed by the Indians of Darien. Some years after, the fettlement was 

 repaired, and the inhabitants maintained their ground till 1584, when orders arrived 

 from Philip II. for their removing to Porto Bello, as much better fituated for the 

 commerce of that country. 



Porto Bello was taken and plundered by John Morgan, an Englifh adventurer, who 

 infefled thofe feas ; but in confideration of a ranfom, he fpared the forts and houfes. 



The town of Porto Bello ftands near the fea, on the declivity of a mountain which 

 furrounds the whole harbour. Moft of the houfes are built of wood. In fome the 

 firjfl ftory is of ftone, and the remainder of wood. They are about one hundred and 

 thirty in number ; mofl of them large and fpacious. The town is under the jurif- 

 diftion of a governor, with the title of lieutenant-general ; being fuch under the pre- 

 fident of Panama, and the term of his poll is without any fpecified limitation. He is 

 always a gentleman of the army, «thaving under him the commandants of the forts that 

 defend the harbour ; whofe employments are for life. 



It confifts of one principal ftreet, extending along the ftrand, with other fmaller 

 crofling it, and running from the declivity of the mountain to the fhore, together with 

 fome lanes, in the fame direftion with the principal ftreet, where the ground admits 

 of it. Here are two large fquares, one oppofite to the cuftom-houfe, which is a 

 ftruclure of ftone, contiguous to the quay ; the other oppofite the great church, which 

 is of ftone, large, and decently ornamented, confidering the fmallnefs of the place. 

 It is ferved by a vicar and other priefts, natives of the country. 



Here are two other churches, one called Nueftra Signora de la Merced, with a con- 

 vent of the fame order ; the other St. Juan de Dios ; which, though it bears the title 

 of an hofpital, and was founded as fuch, is very far from being fo in reality. The 

 church of La Merced is of ftone, but mean and ruinous, like the convent, which is 



VOL. XIV, 3 A alfo 



